The spin doctor and ideologue, credited with creating the system of
pseudo-democracy that keeps Vladimir Putin in power, lost his job as deputy
prime minister yesterday. But in the shifting politics of 2013, the exit of
Vladislav Surkov, once known as the “dark prince of the Kremlin”, is likely
to be seen as a blow to Mr Putin’s “tandem partner”, Prime Minister Dmitry
Medvedev, rather than a loss to the President himself.

The Kremlin said in a statement that Mr Surkov, 48, had voluntarily resigned,
although his departure came only days after President Putin criticised the
work of the cabinet